APB is a Scottish post-punk band, formed in 1979 (reformed 2006), in the to… Read Full Bio ↴APB is a Scottish post-punk band, formed in 1979 (reformed 2006), in the town of Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland that successfully blended funk-rock, punk rock and New Wave music. Ignoring their remote location the boys took inspiration from the punk do it yourself ethic of the burgeoning independent music scene. With a hard-working approach to writing, rehearsing and performing, George Cheyne (drums), Glenn Roberts (guitar) and Iain Slater (bass, vocals) became APB. Meanwhile in Aberdeen, a small independent record company called Oily had started to release records and they were impressed enough by the band's live shows to release a single in 1981. The song was "Chain Reaction", which had long been a favourite at gigs. It was basically a two and a half minute punk/pop song with fuzzy distorted guitar and Scottish inflected vocals, but already the band was evolving with a sparser and more rhythmical sound. Bootsy, Clinton, GO4, ESG, Buzzcocks, Clash, were all filtered through three teenagers from Aberdeenshire and came out as infectious and rhythm-driven pure ! The change in sound first became evident with their second single for Oily, "I'd Like To Shoot You Down" (1981). The single did well and sold out its first pressing, with some copies finding their way to New York City. Soon it was regularly played at most of NYC's underground dance clubs.Unaware of the poplularity of 'Shoot You Down' in the USA the band and Oily were busy pushing their third seven-inch, "Palace Filled With Love" (1982).
2011 saw a new mini album called "Jaguar" on Jim Shepherd (Jasmine Minks label) OATCAKE RECORDS.

Shoot You Down
APB Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

B2

Shoot You Down

小心把你觀看從亂髮到達臉龐
怎麼心有點癢難道你令我流汗
Darling Sweetheart Oh Baby
要痛快那可單手拍掌 I Do Love You Forever

你叫我變得呼吸緊張 Shoot You Down
用我狠狠眼光換個奪目形象
我就是偶像 Shoot You Down
塗上閃爍化妝絕對瀟灑模樣
要置你於掌內鑑賞青春因你揮霍
來換我剎那快樂思想需要解放
才令我脈搏擴張
Darling Sweetheart Oh Baby
要痛快那可單手拍掌 I Really Love You Baby
你叫我變得呼吸緊張 Shoot You Down
用我狠狠眼光換個奪目形象
我就是偶像 Shoot You Down
塗上閃爍化妝絕對瀟灑模樣
要置你於掌內鑑賞 Shoot You Down
用我身體說想為了孤單變雙
你別又閃躲 Shoot You Down
就似一幅快相沒對焦的快相
對像沒相干 Shoot You Down
用我狠狠眼光換個奪目形象
我就是偶像 Shoot You Down

塗上閃爍化妝絕對瀟灑模樣
要置你於掌內鑑賞

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of APB's song Shoot You Down describe a person's desire to be noticed and admired by someone they are attracted to. The first verse talks about observing the person, from their messy hair to their face, and feeling a bit itchy inside which might indicate nervousness or even a crush. The chorus repeats the phrase "Shoot You Down" which could be interpreted as an aggressive act of winning the attention of the person, but it could also mean bringing them down by overpowering their charm and beauty. The second verse talks about the person transforming themselves with makeup and a dashing appearance so they can be admired by the other person. There is a sense of urgency in the lyrics as the person feels that their youth should be spent indulging in moments of pleasure and freedom, which can only happen if they are with the person they desire.

The lyrics are an interesting reflection of the anxieties and desires of young people when it comes to relationships and attraction. The chorus, in particular, is a catchy and memorable phrase that could be interpreted in different ways depending on one's perspective. The use of words like "darling," "sweetheart," and "baby" in the lyrics is a nod to the romantic themes of the song, while the use of words like "shoot" and "down" could create a sense of danger and excitement. The use of makeup and the desire to have an attractive appearance to impress someone is a common theme in many songs, but in this song, it's presented as a way to gain power and control.

Line by Line Meaning

小心把你觀看從亂髮到達臉龐
I am observing you carefully, from your messy hair to your face.

怎麼心有點癢難道你令我流汗
Why do I feel a bit itchy in my heart? Is it because of you making me sweat?

Darling Sweetheart Oh Baby 要痛快那可單手拍掌 I Do Love You Forever
Darling Sweetheart Oh Baby, let's enjoy ourselves and clap with one hand. I do love you forever.

你叫我變得呼吸緊張 Shoot You Down
You are making me breathless and nervous. I will shoot you down.

用我狠狠眼光換個奪目形象我就是偶像 Shoot You Down
By giving you my fierce gaze, I transform into a stunning idol. I will shoot you down.

塗上閃爍化妝絕對瀟灑模樣要置你於掌內鑑賞青春因你揮霍
With sparkling makeup and a graceful appearance, I am placing you in the palm of my hand to appreciate. You are wasting my youth.

來換我剎那快樂思想需要解放才令我脈搏擴張
I need to liberate my thoughts to exchange for a moment of happiness. Only then my heartbeat will expand.

Darling Sweetheart Oh Baby 要痛快那可單手拍掌 I Really Love You Baby
Darling Sweetheart Oh Baby, let's enjoy ourselves and clap with one hand. I really love you, baby.

用我身體說想為了孤單變雙你別又閃躲 Shoot You Down
I am expressing my desire with my body to turn loneliness into twosomes. Don't dodge me again. I will shoot you down.

就似一幅快相沒對焦的快相對像沒相干 Shoot You Down
It's like a blurry snapshot, an unfocused snapshot. The object is irrelevant. I will shoot you down.

用我狠狠眼光換個奪目形象我就是偶像 Shoot You Down
By giving you my fierce gaze, I transform into a stunning idol. I will shoot you down.

塗上閃爍化妝絕對瀟灑模樣要置你於掌內鑑賞
With sparkling makeup and a graceful appearance, I am placing you in the palm of my hand to appreciate.

Writer(s): George Cheyne, Iain Edward Slater, Glenn Langford Roberts

Contributed by Noah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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